Neil Shefferd

The cast of Avenue Q took time out from their performance to join the celebrations

The theatre opened in October 2010 with a performance of Swan Lake

The cute (but rude) puppets from comedy musical Avenue Q, which is currently running at the Waterside, have helped the theatre launch its charity birthday walk.

To mark the Waterside’s fifth year theatre staff will be embarking on a marathon challenge called the Waterside Whittington Walk on Saturday August 8.

The team will be covering a distance of 52 miles in celebration of this year’s panto, Dick Whittington, and in aid of Florries Children’s Team, an arm of Florence Nightingale Hospice that cares for children and families with life-limiting illnesses.

Twenty-eight theatre staff will be attempting the entire distance with smaller teams attempting legs of the route, and further staff volunteering as event support.

The walk starts outside the theatre at 3am and is due to finish at midnight at Westminster Bridge, London.

If you would like to support the fundraising challenge e-mail marketingawt@theambassadors.com.